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Horror as the bodies of a mother and her young son are found in a pond and a desperate search is launched for a missing girl
- The bodies of a woman and a young boy were found in an ACT pond on Saturday
- Officers search Yerabi Pond in Canberra’s Gungahlin for missing girl
- Police fear for her as the investigation into the shocking find continues
Police have launched an urgent search for a young girl after the bodies of a woman and a boy were found in a pond.
Officers search the Yerabi Pond near Gungahlin in the ACT for the girl after the bodies of the woman and boy were found in the water early Saturday.
The dead woman is believed to be the mother of the dead boy and missing girl, while the police are very concerned about the girl.
Officers search the Yerabi pond near Gungahlin in the ACT for the girl after the bodies of the woman and boy were found in the water early Saturday (pictured)
Divers search the water (pictured) while other officers search the surrounding bushland
State emergency services are on the scene as 30 police officers participate in the operation (pictured)
The bodies were discovered when police arrived at the area at 8 a.m. (photo, police on site)
It is understood that both children are under 10 years old, the Canberra Times reported.
ACT Police Inspector Hall O’Meagher said a search by land and water was underway to find the girl.
He told reporters that officers received a call from a member of the pubic area when they saw what they believed to be a body in the lake.
The bodies were discovered when police arrived in the area at 8am.
‘The cause and way of’ [the deaths] is unknown at this time,” he told reporters on Saturday.
“It is very early in the investigation and the investigation continues.
ACT Police Chief Superintendent Hall O’Meagher said a land and waterway search was underway to find the girl (pictured)
“It is a very tragic situation…and we are inquiring with the family of the deceased…who are currently assisting us with our investigation.”
Divers search the water while other officers search the surrounding bushland.
The water is believed to be cloudy after the recent rain, making it more difficult to search. The police would use a drone for a better view.
Police have said there is no continued threat to the community while the next of kin were informed.
“Our thoughts go out to them, as well as to the responding police who faced this tragic circumstance here this morning,” Chief Inspector O’Meagher said.
“It’s a harrowing situation for the first responders – the police, SES and all the services we rely on to provide us with the help we need in these circumstances – but rest assured we have welfare support to help those officers come today and in the days to come.” .’
It is not yet known whether the deaths were an accident or not.
State emergency services are on the scene and 30 police officers are taking part in the operation.
A report on the deaths will be prepared for the coroner.
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